Nancy Taylor Tate
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
God is a covenant making and a covenant keeping God. Although He has never broken covenant with His people, at times we have turned our backs on Him. Because of that, even though at times He may withdraw His blessings, He is still always there. In Hebrews 13:5, He promises “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
How much God loves His people! Back some years the Lord opened my eyes to see a “revelation of a relationship” available to us in Christ Jesus. My life began to change as no longer just a fear of hell or eternal consequences ruled my actions.
Instead, my love for the Lord, with a desire (as a bride) for greater intimacy with Him, and a longing (as a son) to be brought up into His purposes, began to govern my life and the choices that I made. Verses from Philippians 3 and other scriptures burned in my heart as my passion to fellowship with the Lord grew.
Today, I am not just wanting to make it to heaven. There is something more available in our relationship and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, and I want it with all my heart. Even more, there has come a passion to see the travail of His soul satisfied.
“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:11
May our lives be ones He can take joy in. May we be a part of that which He desires to do today, as His purpose, from generation to generation continues to move forward toward the culmination of this dispensation of time.
Zechariah 1:3 reads, “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.”
I have found this very true all my life, and I have seen it true in the life of others, both individually and on a national level. There is that in God’s heart, which is toward them who love Him.
The approbation and favor of God is hard to explain, yet it is very true.
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17
How I value His blessing! We need His blessing on our lives. I would not want to live outside of that which He can bless. His blessing is available to those who love Him.
“Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” Proverbs 8:34-35
When you study the life of David, it was not “position” or the throne that he strove for. Even under extreme pressure what mattered to him most was his relationship with the Lord. David expresses this in Psalm 27:4. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
May the expression of our hearts, too, be a singleness of desire toward the Lord. Through His atoning blood a beautiful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ has been made available to us. May we turn to Him with all our hearts.
What joy, to be in right relationship with God! To dwell in His presence all the days of our lives. To be in His presence for all of eternity!
May a single heart toward the Lord govern our hearts and our choices. Day by day, may we be a part of that which pleases Him.